"Northwest middle school all the way up in Chicago. I'm boarding here in the same house as Hayden."

"What's got you to this corner of New England?"

"I actually wanted to come here, it's a good prep school. And without me around my mom's been able to sign up for archeological dig in Congo."

"Congo?"

"She's a college professor and she specialize in pre-colonial African history. Going on site has been her dream for a long time."

"Sounds nice."

We continued to chat about random things as we waited for the line to advance. Nothing too important, just how I wanted to work in aviation, Liam was chronically undecided and Cooper was torn between medicine and artistic endeavors, apparently being a painter and scriptwriting.

We got our food and started looking for a table only for Channel to rush toward us.

"Yo, pipsqueak." She said.

"When are you going to stop calling me that?" I said rolling my eyes.

"When you're no longer so adorably tiny. Come and sit with me." She pushed me forward and I didn't have much choice in the matter. Liam and Cooper followed us to a table occupied mostly by girls save for two boys.

"Gang, this is Hayden."

"The tiny sister?" One of the girls said.

"The one and only."

Channel's friends immediately overwhelmed me, talking about how cute I was and whatever. I just froze in place, standing up with my tray still in my hand. The only thing I really managed to process from their verbal assault was a half dozen invitation to join their drama club.

"I'll keep it in mind." I mumbled.

I finally sat down and their attention turned back to whatever conversation they were on before I'd shown up.

"Channel's still quite the handful eh?" Liam said.

"Tell me about it."

"She seems to like you though." Cooper said.

"Yeah, I guess." I shrugged.

"What do you think about their drama club offer?" He asked.

"Not really my thing. I do a bit of drawing but that's kind of it for arts and me."

"Shame. It looks fun though."

"Then go for it."

"You know what? I will."

Cooper got up and went to my sister, the two starting to chat. I ignored their conversation, just focusing on the lasagna I'd ordered for a moment. It was quite decent actually.

"What do you think about him?" Liam asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know, he seems friendly enough. But I've known him for less than a day. For all I know he could be an ax murderer or worse."

"Worse than an ax murderer?"

"He could be a dog lover." I whispered. "My allergies couldn't ever handle that! At least an ax murderer would make it quick and not use my immune system against me."

"What's this about ax murderers?" Cooper asked, coming back.

"We're discussing how you're going to murder me."

"Sounds riveting. Do I get a say in that? If I'm going to spend my life in jail, I'd at least like to get to pick how. What does chainsaw say to you?"

"Cool. But friendly word of advice, don't get attached to my sister, she's a real heart breaker." I wasn't exaggerating, Channel went through boyfriends like she did underwear, more interested in the thrill of dating than getting involved in any serious relationship and unlike me, she had the look that gave her quite a lot of options.

"I'll keep that in mind."

As we ate, Liam, Cooper, and I decided to compare schedules for the semester. Liam and I didn't have a whole to together beside lunch periods and a few electives, with Cooper I shared a bit more including English I, Chemistry and Algebra II. We had a pretty similar science-focused curriculum all things considered while Liam was higher in English and French.

With lunch period coming to an end Liam went his separate way to his literature class while Cooper and I both shared to Chem class together. While I hadn't changed town all my old friends save for Liam were at East Bridge High on the other side of town. Add to that our shared house and we were practically being made to be friends by some higher power.

Much to my surprise Evelyn was in my class. With English III and now Chem, was she in all the advanced classes at this school? She was sitting with another girl. When she saw me she waved at me. Cooper and I claimed lab table right behind her.

"Hey, this is Grace, we met in dance." She said, introducing us to the African-American girl next to her. Much like Evelyn she was just impeccable, not a flaw on her with jewelled cornrowed brains and subtle makeup. "Hayden here is my roomie, that's Coop he's also in my house but I know nothing about him except he's got good taste in shoes." She let out a giggle.

Grace appraised the both of us for a moment her eyes hard set on us, almost as if she was calculating. Then her expression changed, she smiled at us. "It's nice to meet you." She said in this very controlled and suave kind of way. Something about her gave me some off-vibes. Cooper however didn't share my thoughts as he extended a hand which she shook.

The bell rang and the teacher closed the door. "Class, if you'd please direct your attention to the front." She called, interrupting our exchange.